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Monday, April 20, 2009

Happy Monday (really!)

Its Monday again! Where did the weekend go?I'm feeling good today--pretty much "normal". And very happy to be feeling this way! Now I'm thinkin'--I've got 2 days--and so much to do!! Here's a partial "to-do" list for me:1. Boil eggs (they are an easy on the tummy way to get protein)2. Make kool-aid to leave on the counter (hopefully it will taste better than warm water!) (maybe I should buy some small gingerale cans?)3. buy applesauce cups and jello cups and set out on counter4. other foods to have on hand--fruit cups, cinnamon rolls, ritz crackers, milk duds, cheese popcorn, cottage cheese5. get laundry done (almost there!)6. give kitchen a good cleaning, because it won't happen again for several days!7. pay billsBeyond that, everything else can be done by Rich and the girls, or can wait until next week when I start feeling a little better.I think I'll get groceries tonight (except for the rolls--they'll need to be fresh on Wed.!), and tomorrow I get my haircut at 3:15, and finish up everything else.As you can see, there is a lot to do and think about. The yucky feeling I get from chemo could be worse this time (but may not be), but I know I'll have a few days of "I just don't care", where I will simply exist and make it thru--so that's what I have to prepare for. If I'm lucky, I'll sleep alot!I never did call the doc about not sleeping (I was too tired and out-of-it!!). I'm done with the steroid pills, and have been sleeping ok over the weekend, so I figured I may as well wait until I see him on Wed. I'm not sure why they give you a steroid along with the anti-nausea med (Zolfran), but we'll find all that out, and I'm sure they'll come up with a different plan. I know there are a lot of other things they can give me.Wed. morning Rich and I have to be at Regions at 8:30. First they'll access my port to draw blood for labs, and then at 8:50 I have my appt. with the oncologist. When I'm done with him, and assuming my labs are ok, they'll start the chemo drugs. That takes a couple of hours, then I get hooked up to my bag and sent home! I'm curious to see what my hemoglobin is, because its been on the low side (10.9), and Saturday I was sooo groggy feeling. Standing up was such an effort! Sitting I was ok, but walking, shopping, etc. was difficult! So that made me think maybe I'm still slightly anemic. Yesterday we stayed home all day. Didn't even go to church. I just wanted 1 whole day to hang around the house, read the paper, do some laundry, etc. Besides, it was a chilly, rainy day--perfect for staying home! This whole chemo experience, while I haven't been horribly sick, has been disappointing. So, once again, I've tried to adjust my thinking (something I'll do frequently I'm sure!!). I don't want to plan ANYTHING for the next 8 months or so, and if I feel good enough to do something, then that will be a bonus. Rich and I were thinking we'd be able to get away to Duluth a few times this summer, but now, I don't want to plan on it--if I happen to feel up to it-great, we'll do it. I simply want to fight this cancer, and survive as best I can. Life will continue when I kick this cancer! I don't mean that to sound so depressing--I'm sure I'll have times where I feel good and can do fun things. The point is, I can't plan on feeling good--its too disappointing to plan something, then be to sick to even care.For those of you wondering about Alyssa--she made it home safe and sound. Rich picked her up around 6am Sunday. She slept most of the day. It sure is nice to have her home! She is a brave girl to travel all that way by herself (and she's terrified of flying!), and brave to love a soldier. It's not easy for her to let him go. Jaren (and the other Red Bulls) will be leaving for Kuwait in just a few days--please keep him in your prayers!Thanks, Rachel and Ken (mostly Ken!) for the yummy home-made pretzels!! Rachel brought them to me last night, along with some blueberry muffins. I ate 2 pretzels right away, and got a tummy ache! (from being too full--not Ken's pretzels!) I think I'll go have one now....Take care everyone!!Love to all!Tina

About Me

On Feb. 6th, 2009, at the age of 44, I was diagnosed with stage 3b colorectal cancer. I had surgery, radiation and chemo. I finished chemo on 1/20/10.
On April 1st, 2010, at the age of 45, I found out I have stage 2b HER2+ breast cancer. I again did surgery, chemo, and radiation, and 1 year of Herceptin. I finished treatment on Aug.15th,'11. I have a wonderful husband, 3 beautiful daughters, 2 sons-in-law, 2 wonderful grandsons, and a gorgeous little granddaughter!
My God is my Rock and my Fortress!